OCTOBER 4, 2013 - VOL 15, ISSUE 40

Technique and Safety

Accident analysis

Asleep at the wheel

The need for sleep is non-negotiable. A buyer who picked up a Cessna 172 in Boulder, Colo., on Sept. 20, 2012, had made three Atlantic crossings during the preceding nine days. He flew 6.5 hours the first day and more than 17 hours the next before flying into the ground under power near Tampa, Fla.—within 60 nautical miles of home. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute. Share:  

IFR Fix

'Go ahead and land'

You have flown a perfect VOR RWY 6 approach to Montauk Airport at the tip of Long Island, N.Y., and you can't resist pointing out to Grumpy Instructor how smoothly you transitioned from the Groton VOR, finessed the parallel entry to the holding-pattern procedure turn, and nailed the fix inbound on the final approach. Read more... Share:  

Flash-based, login required

Safety starts on the ground

The old saying goes, "Fly 'em all the way to the hangar." With airports becoming increasingly busy you need to be more than familiar with airport signage and markings. You must be an expert on their meanings and usage. Can you rise to the challenge? Take the Air Safety Institute's Runway Safety online course. Take the course... Share:  

Blog

Get lost and get found

In 1972 U.S. Rep. Hale Boggs' aircraft went missing in Alaska, never to be found. A law was passed mandating that most aircraft be equipped with emergency locator transmitters (ELTs), but the boxes were moderately expensive, and the performance left something to be desired. Is history repeating itself with a new proposed mandate? Read more... Share:  

Blog

Minimum autorotation rpm

When a helicopter is in autorotation, rotor rpm must be maintained. This is done when entering the autorotation by lowering the collective control. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Aviation Summit

PDF download

Fly-in procedures

Planning to fly in for AOPA Aviation Summit? Download AOPA's pilot information packet complete with notam and traffic management information; arrival and departure procedures; and parking, transportation, and hotel information. Download the packet...

Article

Scholarship awards announced

AOPA has announced the winners of the 2013 Flight Training Scholarships that will be awarded at AOPA Aviation Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 10 through 12. Read more... Share:  

Article

Become an iPad pro

Whether you've been contemplating using an iPad in the cockpit or are a whiz at using the device to enhance your cockpit management, seminars at AOPA Aviation Summit will help you learn how to make it work best for whatever type of flying you do. Read more... Share:  

Article

Fly in 'Fifi,' other warbirds

The Commemorative Air Force AirPower History Tour and Cavanaugh Flight Museum will have warbirds on display and give flights at AOPA Aviation Summit in Fort Worth, Texas. Leading the warbird lineup is the Commemorative Air Force's B-29 Superfortress, Fifi. Summit attendees can book a seat through the Commemorative Air Force AirPower Tour website to receive a discount, or purchase a ticket in person at Summit's Airportfest at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport. Read more... Share:  

Call for volunteers

Volunteers needed for Summit

AOPA is looking for volunteers to help with parking attendee aircraft, directing ground transportation, and managing the flow of people and vehicles Oct. 8 through 13 for AOPA Aviation Summit. Volunteers who work a minimum of five hours will receive a Summit "Exhibits and Seminars" one-day pass (a $55 value). Sign up to volunteer today.

Advocacy

Advocacy

Graves: IG report 'vital' to probe of pilot searches

The Department of Homeland Security should wait until an inspector general's investigation into stops and searches of general aviation pilots by Customs and Border Protection agents is completed before changing its record-keeping rules or shielding information from public disclosure, said Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) in a letter to the department's acting secretary. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

Do-over medical reporting

The FAA medical application can be confusing, and it's fairly easy to get tripped up and make a mistake. Inadvertent mistakes on a medical application can be corrected before the FAA discovers them. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

New swept prop for TBMs

Hartzell Propeller is taking orders for a new five-blade composite propeller for the Daher-Socata TBM 700 and 850 models. The new design boosts performance across the board, and is an eye-catcher as well. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

IFR required

Fortunate is the businessman or -woman who is certificated as a pilot, maintains proficiency in the art and technology of flight, and has access to a general aviation aircraft, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jack Olcott. Such capabilities enable access to a world of opportunity unmatched by public transportation. Read more... Share:  

Blog

The man in the arena

In the struggle to keep airports open as airports, how do we steel ourselves against the critics and stay involved in the fight? Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas considers a speech by Theodore Roosevelt. Read more... Share:  

Gear

Article

Five weather apps just in time for fall

Now that it's officially fall, it's a good time to highlight weather apps that can help you make the transition: DTC DUAT, Flight Weather, Storm Shield Weather Radio, AirReport Pro-METAR & TAF, and Raindar. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Article

Scheduled service in a Cirrus

Charter operators in the New York and Boston areas have teamed up to launch scheduled service in a piston single. Linear Air and its first partner, Hopscotch Air, which operates a small but busy fleet of Cirrus SR22s, hope to draw new business travelers by offering private aircraft seats online. Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

Redbird $1 avgas sales soar

Redbird Skyport of San Marcos, Texas, pumped as much avgas during the first three days of its $1-per-gallon promotion as it would typically dispense in two full months, said the company's marketing manager on Oct. 3. Read more... Share:  

Member benefit

B-29 navigator flies Starduster Too

Marvin Rosenberg bought his first airplane in 1963. After selling his most recent airplane in 2012, he missed owning one, and so purchased a Starduster Too. He turned to AOPA Insurance for help. Rosenberg, 91, has been a member of AOPA for more than 50 years and is a 20-year customer of AOPA Insurance. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Foundation focus

Foundation receives aircraft donation

A donated Socata Trinidad TB 20 will help the AOPA Foundation in its mission to protect and strengthen general aviation. Read more... Share:  

Article

Flying Particles offers safe aircraft at low costs

Hallmarks of membership in the Flying Particles flying club include offering safe aircraft at the lowest cost, coupled with high-quality instruction in a supportive community. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Honor Flight continues despite shutdown

Honor Flight officials say they will continue to bring veterans to Washington, D.C., memorials, open or not. Members of Congress may help with getting veterans past barriers of memorials closed by the federal government shutdown. Read more... Share:  

Article

Italian club marks century of seaplane flying

A hundred years of seaplane flying from a lake renowned as one of Europe's most stunning resort and vacation spots will be celebrated Oct. 5 on Lake Como in the Alpine foothills of Italy. Read more... Share:  

Article

Embraer promises upgrades

Embraer will roll out the "Phenom 100 2014 edition," along with new features on the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500, at the upcoming National Business Aviation Association convention. Read more... Share:  

Article

Delaware State trains black pilots, aviation professionals

Delaware State University, which traces its aviation roots back to the Tuskegee Airmen, is offering students a low-cost, high-quality aviation education. Read more... Share:  

Article

Aircraft Spruce prepares for customer appreciation day

AOPA Strategic Partner Aircraft Spruce is holding a customer appreciation day in its three locations that will also benefit Young Eagles and COPA for Kids, a program of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Strange but true general aviation news

Colorado National Guard helicopters come to the rescue, cocaine on the airplane, and a tennis champ nixes a private jet. Read more... Share:  

Webinars

Recorded webinars available

With all of the webinars AOPA has offered recently, it's easy to miss one. No worries; you can view the recordings of webinars online. Share:  

Sweepstakes

Blog

Coming together at Air Mod

The pressure is on. Air Mod is still working, hammer and tongs, on the Debonair. The airplane has to be in place in Fort Worth, Texas, for AOPA Aviation Summit by Oct. 9. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Career Opportunities

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a Web applications developer III, financial analyst, staff assistant/PAC coordinator, and AOPA Live editor/graphic artist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

Teaching judgment

Can judgment be taught during training? Read more...